Aric departed Evelyne's safe house with a smile on his lips, his head reeling.
The high of Sovereign's Embrace was addictive.
He hadn't even pressed Evelyne hard, and she'd already broken.
But she was resilient. Strong.
There were softer targets.
And he knew where to begin.
---
The Duke's capital streets were empty and quiet at night, but Aric went unseen, unimpeded.
His destination?
The Royal Treasury.
But not to gain gold. To gain influence.
The Duke's Court Treasurer, Lord Marcus Renfield, was a man of riches and fear.
And fear?
That was something Aric could manipulate.
---
Aric received entry to the treasurer's mansion without issue. No guards blocked his path. No alarms sounded.
Because there was no necessity.
Renfield was no fighter.
He was a coward.
Aric found him in his private study, slumped over scrolls and ledgers, a goblet of wine trembling in his hand. The man was overwhelmed by living in fear of both the Duke's anger and the ambitions of the nobles.
Perfect.
Aric stepped closer. The candlelight danced.
Renfield stiffened.
"Who is there?" he shouted out, trembling voice.
Aric smiled.
Then he spoke.
"Your worst nightmare… or your best opportunity."
Renfield spun around—his eyes wide at the figure of Aric in the doorway.
"M-Master Aric," Renfield stuttered. "What—what are you doing here?"
Aric walked in, taking a seat opposite him. His presence filled the air.
"We need to discuss something."
Renfield swallowed hard. "I—If this is about the Duke's accounts, I assure you—"
Aric's forward lean made him stop, his words stilled by the look on Aric's face.
The atmosphere in the room grew thick with tension.
[ Ding! ]
[ Sovereign's Embrace has triggered. Target's will is faltering. ]
A moment of fear passed over Renfield's face.
Aric smiled. Good.
---
---
"Easy, Lord Renfield," Aric drawled, his voice heavy with understated command. "I'm not here to accuse you of anything."
Renfield moistened his lips. "Then… w-what do you want?"
Aric leaned back, tilting his head. "Loyalty."
The treasurer bristled. "I—But I already serve the Duke!"
Aric laughed. A slow, knowing laugh.
Renfield flinched.
"If so," Aric considered, "you wouldn't be sending money into private coffers."
Renfield stiffened.
".I don't know what you're talking about."
Aric's grin grew. Caught.
"I know exactly how much you've embezzled from the treasury," Aric went on, his tone relaxed but edged with soft menace. "And more importantly… I know where you've stashed it."
Renfield hid his goblet in his hand, knuckles clenched.
Aric noticed.
The desperation.
The fear.
And then—the breaking point.
[ Sovereign's Embrace Effect Amplified. ]
[ Target's resistance weakening. ]
Renfield's body sagged a little, gasping coarsely.
".What do you want?" he croaked.
Aric smiled.
There we have it.
----
---
"This is simple," Aric said, rising from the chair.
"You're working for me now."
Renfield snarled up at him, conflicted.
Aric made him not have much time for dawdling, though.
He slapped a firm hand on the man's shoulder and talked low.
"I will keep you safe from the Duke."
Renfield's gasp for air stuttered.
"I'll make sure no one ever finds out what you've done."
The older man swallowed hard.
"And in return?" Aric pressed on. "You'll move money where I direct. You'll see that the rebellion receives whatever it requires. And when the hour arrives."
Aric leaned in, his silver eyes flashing.
"You'll ensure the Duke's war chest runs dry."
There was silence.
Renfield shook in terror.
Aric could sense the war within him. Fear of defying the Duke. but fear of Aric as well.
The power of the System made him unable to fight for long.
And at last—he broke.
Renfield nodded.
".I understand."
Aric grinned, releasing his shoulder. "Good man."
[ Ding! ]
[ Quest Updated: Serpent in the Court. ]
[ Objective Complete: Secured Financial Control Over the Treasury. ]
[ New Ability Unlocked: Whisper of Command ]
[ Effect: Reduces targets' mental resistance to direct commands. ]
Aric's sneer grew.
This power… was perilous.
And he was only just beginning.